Mobile businessman Ross Sloan has awarded the University of South Alabama a $100,000 gift that will support both the College of Arts and Sciences and the University Library.

The gift provides for an endowed scholarship in USA's College of Arts and Sciences, sponsorship of a group study room in the new addition of the University Library, and support for the library's collection development.

"I wanted to establish a permanent, working memorial to a man I believe was the greatest

academician of all time and perhaps the most moral man in history," he said. "I very much believe in education as did Schweitzer, and my desire is to focus on what should be priority."

University President Gordon Moulton recently recognized Sloan for the gift at the dedication of the group study room sponsored by the local businessman.

"Ross Sloan is not only a successful businessman but also a person who exemplifies the humanitarian spirit of Albert Schweitzer," Moulton said. "He is a tremendous benefactor of the University and has dedicated himself to the betterment of others in an unselfish manner. His gift will motivate and inspire future generations of scholars."

Sloan's $50,000 gift to the College of Arts and Sciences established the Albert Schweitzer Endowed Scholarship Fund, which will provide for a $2,500 annual scholarship to an undergraduate student majoring in any of the college's 19 departments.

The scholarships will be awarded to students who best reflect the humanitarian ideals of Schweitzer through community service to the underserved.

"This gift reinforces efforts to bring greater attention to the importance of service learning," said Dr. David Johnson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "It fits well with our goal to motivate students to increase the community service that they provide as part of their time here at the University."

Sloan's $50,000 gift to the University Library established the Albert Schweitzer Center and Group Study Room, and helps to build the Arts and Sciences Collection Development Enhancement Fund.

Located in one of the library's 18 new group study rooms, the center is marked with a plaque and decorated with memorabilia featuring Schweitzer--a physician, philosopher and 1952 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

The room will contain a catalog of library holdings that lists works authored by Schweitzer as well as those written about him. Material in philosophy, medicine, music and other fields associated with Schweitzer will also be provided by the collection development gift.

The Schweitzer room is the first among what is hoped to be many privately sponsored student study areas in the University Library's new 53,000-square-foot addition.

"One of the primary purposes of sponsorships is to build collections that memorialize specific people, subjects or events," explained Dr. Richard Wood, dean of University Libraries. "This allows donors to show their appreciation for a particular person or topic and to share this enthusiasm with others."

For more information on supporting USA, contact the University's Office of Development at 460-7616 or 460-7084.